Saxis Island, Accomack County, Va - Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Study, Continuing Authorities Program
Contact:James R. Creighton, P.G. (757) 201-7224
Authorization:
Section 107 of the River and Harbor Act of 1960 (Public Law 86-645), as amended.
Location and Description:
- Approximately 95 miles east of Richmond.
- 2000 Census population (approximately): 350 (Town of Saxis).
- 2020 Forecast population: 330.
- Per Capita Income: $13,404.
The study are is located in Pocomoke Sound on the Chesapeake Bay side of the Eastern Shore in the northwest portion of Accomack County, adjacent to the Town of Saxis. A project would consist of the placement of 8 segmented offshore breakwaters along 6,000 feet of intertidal Saxis Island shoreline to restore historically vegetated aquatic and wetland habitat, as well as open beach, a critically needed habitat for the Federally-threatened northeastern beach tiger beetle, which has been found in small numbers on the present remnant beach. The restored intertidal wetlands and shallow water habitat would elevate the productivity of finfish, crabs, and shellfish and would also serve as foraging and nesting areas for shorebirds and waterfowl. The breakwaters would also provide protective subaquatic areas in their proximity that are conducive to the recovery of underwater grasses. This design effort is currently on hold pending receipt of Federal funding in the Corps Continuing Authorities Program.
Updated: 03-Jan-2011